Legislative Action Committee Minutes from the January 4, 2007 Meeting
ATTENDANCE: Jennetta Harris, Doris Blum, Pat Bushman, Catherine Nichols, Monique Arenas, Richard Rea, Steve Johnson, Ken Herman, Corey Calaycay, Cliff Hamlow, Mike Foxworth, Gene Morrill, Brian Mejia and Robert Cruz
Meeting called to order at 12:15 p.m. by Chairman, Jennetta Harris
Welcome and Introductions
Legislative Representative Reports: Richard Rea representing Congressman Dreier – The Congressman is proud of his voting record and unfortunately with his aggressive agenda and long work hours Monday thru Friday, it makes it difficult for him to be in town. They are moving his area office to San Dimas. Some items the Congressman is working on include, finishing the Gold Line, water clean-up and appropriation. He is aware of problems with MTA affecting commerce in the Valley, and the “no child left behind” program. Suggested he be made aware of the problem of lumping special education children with all others for testing and the lack of funding for certain school programs. Applicants are being sought for the Congressman’s Youth Volunteer Award program which honors deserving youth for their volunteer contributions to the community. Quite a few new laws affecting businesses, some of them job-killer legislation, go into effect on January 1, 2007. Corey Calaycay representing Senator Margett - Not a lot of changes to report. The Senator continues to look at legislature involving health care, redistricting and the prison system. A new law affecting the disposal of cat waste is in effect. Issues to be brought to his attention: declining school enrollment, special education funding and the Governors plan to provide health care to all children. Everyone was given a 2007 tentative Legislative calendar. Steve Johnson representing Assemblyman Anthony Adams – Pat Myers has retired after 33 years of service to the Assemblyman’s office. She is going to be missed. The Assemblyman if relocating his office to Clarmont. There are 38 new members in the Assembly and the Assemblyman will be serving as Vice-Chair of the elections and appropriations committee. Only 103 new bills were introduced this past year. Since he is new to the Assembly and the district, the Assemblyman is setting up meetings with the Mayors of all cities within his district. He is concerned with declining school enrollment and transportation issues. Brian Mejia representing Supervisor Antonovich – The Supervisor is proud of his record of accomplishments in 2006, including the hiring of 1,000 deputies and finalizing 2,000 adoptions. The Santa Anita Courthouse has been converted to a mental health center, area beautification projects are in the works, the Hazard Waste Round-up Campaign continues to be a big success. Cliff Hamlow suggested the Supervisor be asked to give the committee a definition of what constitutes a blighted area.
Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Power Lunch on April 13, 2007. Please bring to attention of Board of Directors.
Chairman’s Report, Jennetta Harris – Regarding Legislative Priorities, the committee needs to decide what issues are important. A mission statement is needed. Suggested the committee review the changes and get back to her by January 11th with their thoughts. The Committee discussed and decided that it was important to hold a candidates forum before the upcoming Glendora City Council elections. The decision was made to hold it at the High School Event Center on February 1st or 8th, depending on availability of center. Committee Assignments are as follows:
Jennetta Harris– contact City Clerk and letters to the candidates. Bob Cruz- contact Time Warner to film, get moderators, write questions for candidates. Catherine Nichols – check on availability of event center. Chamber – flyer insert / notification to membership.
Other items on the agenda included a discussion regarding holding an education forum between the City and the Schools to discuss declining enrollment concerns. Note: Susan Hume will be the speaker at an upcoming Chamber Breakfast on the “State of the Schools.” The Committee suggested the breakfast be promoted to the City, as well as Chamber membership.
Reports from - City of Glendora – Ken Herman – lots going on around the City. Fine tuning the Route 66 plan. Diamond Ridge moving along quickly. Pompei Park will be reopening soon. The Best Western is nearing completion. Construction underway on the Social Security building.
Glendora Unified School District - Catherine Nichols – school construction and updates are finished.
Other Business - Bob Cruz feels that it is important for the Glendora Chamber to belong to the San Gabriel Valley Coalition. He suggested the matter be brought to the Board of Directors for their consideration and volunteered to attend the January Board meeting to speak about the Coalition. Mike Foxworth volunteered as a possible liaison to attend the meetings and report to the Board.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:45 pm Minutes recorded by V. Thompsett
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